Policewoman, Marine will be guests of Congress

WASHINGTON - It was a predawn traffic stop - until the police officer was shot in the face, then returned fire and chased her assailant 20 miles across the Houston area.

That bravery earned a seat of honor for Stafford police Officer Ann Carrizales Tuesday, when she will witness President Obama's State of the Union address from the House gallery as the guest of Rep. Pete Olson.

The 40-year-old former U.S. Marine and mother of two said Monday she would prefer to share the spotlight with countless less-heralded law enforcement officers who face comparable dangers.

"It's such an honor to be asked to attend the State of the Union," Carrizales said in a telephone interview as she prepared to fly to the nation's capital. "But law enforcement officers are doing things like this all the time that you just don't hear about."

Carrizales was hit once in her cheek and once in her bulletproof vest after stopping a four-door Nissan with three men inside on Oct. 26 at 3:30 a.m. in the 12700 block of Murphy Road. The former military police officer managed to open fire at the fleeing car and shatter the rear window before calling for backup and starting the chase.

The suspected shooter, Sergio Francisco Rodriguez, 21, was arrested shortly after the incident. Two other men, Fredy De Leon-Henriquez, 28, and Daniel Cruz, were subsequently arrested and also charged with aggravated assault on a peace officer.

Other guests of the local delegation include:

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1 Retired Marine Staff Sgt. Johnny "Joey" Jones will be the guest of Rep. Randy Weber, R-Pearland. " Jones has become a leader in efforts to help wounded GIs recover from life-altering injuries. Jones lost both legs in Afghanistan when he stepped on an improvised explosive device during an assignment that included disarming more than 85 improvised devices.

1 Amy Milstead, the only daughter of seven children, serves as President of Milstead Automotive founded by her father, Dick Milstead. The State of the Union guest of Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands, she serves on the board of directors for Montgomery County Youth Services, a nonprofit agency for homeless teens. Milstead has appeared as a featured expert on Fox News, ABC, CBS and the Live Well Network.